- Welcome to ...
- Agriculture Education
- Big Sky Pathways
- Business Education
- Calendar
- Data Collections
- Family & Consumer Sciences
- Health Science Education
- Industrial Trades & Technology Education
- Perkins Federal Funding
- Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)
- Standards & Guidelines
- State (VoEd) Funding
- Updates - Latest CTE Info
- Other Helpful Links & Resources
- Contact Us
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Career and Technical Education prepares Montana K-12 students for a wide range of careers and post secondary education programs. Career and Technical Education courses are found in Montana's middle schools, high schools and career centers.
Career and Technical Education courses provide students with life and employment skills to make them highly desirable employees in today's modern workforce. Skills learned in K-12 Career and Technical Education courses prepare students to go directly into the workforce or to continue their education with a much higher degree of focus and direction for their career goals.
Montana has over 500 approved Career and Technical Education programs and over 800 certified teachers in Agriculture, Business, Marketing, Family and Consumer Sciences, Industrial Technology, and Health Sciences. More than 150 Montana high schools participate in the federal Carl D. Perkins and state Career and Technical Education grant programs to support and improve their Career and Technical Education programs.
Television coverage of some of Montana's CTE programs that receive Perkins support:
High School houses dedicated
Kids get ready for HOSA nationals
First National Career Readiness Certificates awarded at Great Falls community ceremony
Enhancing CTE Teaching Webinars
Montana CTSO Chapters
Montana has 275 nationally affiliated career and technical student organization (CTSO) chapters with nearly 6000 student members. All these links open a new page
Agriculture Education
Agricultural Education is a sequential set of course offerings for students in grades 7-12. The program is designed to develop knowledge, skills, attitudes, and experiences in and about agriculture. Ag Ed prepares students for further education, self-employment, entry-level jobs, and consumer awareness in the agriculture industry. Vocational Agriculture, as it was formerly called, was started in Montana in 1917 with the passing of the federal Smith-Hughes Vocational Act. Curriculums in Ag Ed may contain: Ag Business, Animal Science, Aquaculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Leadership, Mechanics, Natural Resources, Plant Science, and Wildlife Management. Most programs consist of three major components: classroom and laboratory instruction, supervised agricultural experiences (SAE) and membership in the FFA. Quality programs are conducted on a year-round basis with students actively engaged in educational activities over the summer months.
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Student Group - FFA
FFA is a Montana youth organization that makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.
Name, Office, Chapter, Email |
Home Address |
College Address |
Lane Nordlund, President |
Larry & Shonny Nordlund |
406.366.2749 – Cell |
Laura Frazee, 1st V P |
Steve & Linda Kauffman 661 S. Burnt Fork Rd. Stevensville, MT 59870 406.777.4276 406.363.8844 (cell) |
406.239.0703 – Cell |
Jayleen Harris, 2nd V P |
Charlene Bouma & Kim Harris |
406.788.9658 - Cell |
Sarah Snow, Secretary |
Mark & Nita Snow 917 12th Ave. Laurel, MT 59044 406.633.2376 406.860.0086 or 0148 (cell) |
406.696.0402 - Cell |
Brooke Cather, Treasurer |
Shawn & Kristi Cather P.O. Box 653 Lolo, MT 59847 406.273.0554 406.370.0554 |
406.546.4371 – Cell |
Kristen Scott, Reporter |
Don & Lori Scott P.O. Box 128 Clyde Park, MT 59018 406.686.4489 406.600.1048 (cell) |
406.640.1053 - Cell |
Mick Mosher, Sentinel |
Jeff & Laurie Mosher |
406.670.7581 – Cell |
Cody Donaugh, Parliamentarian |
Doug & Wendy Donaugh 2001 Mohr Lane Park City, MT 59063 406.633.2953 406.850.0893 or 690.2429 (cells) |
406.850.0486 - Cell |
Bill Jimmerson |
2390 E. Cameron Bridge Rd. |
207 Linfield Hall |
Ramey Lunceford |
406.582.4118 (office) |
Montana FFA Foundation |
Dr. Brad King |
Helena MT 59604 |
Office of Public Instruction |
Big Sky Pathways
- Big Sky Pathway Initiative—Next Steps in 2011-2012
- Next Steps in the Big Sky Pathway Process
- An Invitation to Participate: The Next Steps in the BIg Sky Pathway Process
- Request for Big Sky Pathway Approval for 2012-2013
- Instructions for completing the BSP Approval Form
- Big Sky Pathways Course Template
- Big Sky Pathway Initiative TOOLKIT
- Big Sky Pathways Proposal Templates
- Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
- Architecture and Construction
- Arts, A-V Technology and Communications
- Business Management and Administration
- Education and Training
- Finance
- Government and Public Administration
- Health Science
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Human Services
- Information Technology
- Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
- Manufacturing
- Marketing
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
- Transportation, Distribution and Logistics
- MCIS
- Tips for Uploading Courses and Pathways Into MCIS’s Montana Achievement Plan (MAP)
- MCIS Course Planner Editor Site Utility
- Montana Achievement Plan (MAP) System
- Montana Career Fields and Clusters Model with Pathways
- Big Sky Pathway Initiative—2010-2011
Business and Marketing Education
There are in excess of 165 Business and Marketing Education programs and 280 teachers in the public high schools of Montana. These programs and teachers are dedicated to the preparation of students for a world-class workforce. Through communication, professional development, and coordination of talent, a determined effort is under way to make Montana a great place for students to meet their career goals and for employers to be confident in the relevance of skills being taught and learned.
A showcase for Business and Marketing Education Programs are our Career and Technical Student Organizations. These organizations are Business Professionals of America and DECA. CTSOs provide students with soft skills (leadership, character, and community service competencies), as well as competitive events that build on sound content and skill development.
- Strengthen the basic skillslistening, speaking, and writing and computing, problem-solving, and computer-related
- Strengthen each individuals self-concept and desire to succeed
- Formulate plans to ensure continued educational growth, whether it be formal or informal
- Provide occupational competence which enables an individual to procure a job for which he or she is qualified and to formulate and implement a career development plan which is responsive to personal and technological changes
- Develop positive interpersonal and leadership skills
- Develop economic competence to enable the individual to be a productive citizen and wise consumer of resources, goods, and services
Data Collections
2011-12 CTE Student Participation Reports On-line LINK NOW AVAILABLE
Fall CTE Data Collection
2011-12 Quick Reference Guide for Fall CTE Data Collection
The Fall CTE data collection is a follow-up to last year’s Spring CTE data collection. Students identified as CTE Concentrators who graduated in the 2010-11 school year must be contacted between October 1 and December 31, 2011 and have their current post-graduation status identified.
Family & Consumer Sciences
Information to be provided

Health Occupations Education
Montana's Health Science Technology Education- Building a Pipeline of Future Healthcare Professionals
Montana's newest Career & Technology Education offering is health sciences. The Health Science Career Cluster prepares students for further education and/or immediate employment in the healthcare field. Health Science majors include:
- Therapeutic Services
- Diagnostic Services
- Health Informatics
- Support Services
- Biotechnology & Research Development
The foundation of our Health Science Program is to teach essential knowledge and skills needed by healthcare providers based on the National Healthcare Skills Standards; to address the individual needs of our students and post-secondary education requirements; to promote leadership, community service and scholarship, while developing community resources and healthcare partners.
Sample Course Offerings include:
- Introduction to Health Science
- Medical Terminology
- Certified Nurse Aide
- Sports Medicine
- Emergency Medical Services
Additional Information:
Industrial Trades & Technology Education
Information to be providedPerkins Federal Funding
- Summer 2011 CTE Professional Development Opportunities
- Perkins Monitoring Manual
- Perkins Purchasing Manual
- Perkins Advisory Council Guidance
- WEBINAR—Introductory Instructions to the 2011-12 Perkins E-Grant Application
- WEBINAR—Changes to the 2011-12 Perkins E-Grant Application
- 2011-12 Perkins Professional Development Preferred Providers
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math - STEM
Watch the Video: Five Montana Women in STEM Fields
"STEM" is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, and refers to the physical, biological, and agricultural sciences; computer and information sciences; engineering and engineering technologies; and mathematics. The reason there is so much conversation about STEM is because estimates show "about five million people work directly in science, engineering, and technology— just over 4 percent of the workforce. This relatively small group of workers is considered to be critical to economic innovation and productivity. Workers in science and engineering fields tend to be well paid and enjoy better job security than do other workers. Workforce projections for 2018 by the U.S. Department of Labor show that nine of the10 fastest-growing occupations that require at least a bachelor's degree will require significant scientific or mathematical training" (Why so Few? retrieved April 5, 2010).
There is growing concern that the United States is not preparing a sufficient number of students, teachers, and professionals in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Although the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results show improvement in U.S. pupils' knowledge of math and science, the large majority of students still fail to reach adequate levels of proficiency. When compared to other nations, the achievement of U.S. pupils appears inconsistent with the nation's role as a world
leader in scientific innovation.
(CRS Report for Congress retrieved April 5, 2010)
The U.S also has a striking disparity between the numbers of men and women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. "The classical formulation of this idea is that men "naturally" excel in mathematically demanding disciplines, whereas women "naturally" excel in fields using language skills. Yet, recent gains in girls' mathematical achievement demonstrate the importance of culture and learning environments in the cultivation of abilities and interests" (Why so Few?).
To diversify the STEM fields we must take a hard look at the stereotypes and biases that still pervade our culture. Encouraging more girls and women to enter these vital fields will require careful attention to the environment in our classrooms and workplaces and throughout our culture. The accompanying VIDEO highlights five Montana women who embraced this challenge.
An NTO, or non-traditional occupation, is any occupation where 25% or less of one gender is represented in that occupation. We now have the tools to mediate these discrepancies by providing students, teachers, parents and employers with information and resources.
Start by exposing students to alternative careers and other professional options. Your influence and ability to help a student make life-altering decisions is profound! As a teacher, parent or counselor, you are faced with the daunting task of preparing students for tomorrow. Fortunately, there are a many resources and curriculum packages to which you have access.
If you are unsure whether this information is even relevant to you, take these simple self-administered surveys as the hidden biases operating within our lives are usually hidden to us as well.
(Assessing Your Biases via that Harvard Implicit Website, look under Gender IAT's).
Finally, you do NOT have to re-invent the wheel of successful exercises exposing the greatness of NTO's and STEM careers. There are a multitude of resources at your fingertips; the trick is to choose the one that best fits your own curriculum style. New Look Online Self-Study
Talk to your student about her/his interests. Sometimes it is as easy as encouraging simple pleasures (a fascination with speed can lead to a path of designing aerodynamic cars). The support you give your student in the form of encouraging thinking, exploration, and the pursuit of knowledge is a concrete plan in a world where the most appropriate job for your students' likes/abilities might not even exist yet! Our great big Montana sky is the limit!
The following resources provide additional information regarding STEM and non-traditional occupations:
Contact: Renee Harris, 406.444.2059
State (VoEd) Funding
Map of Montana FCCLA Districts
Other Helpful Links and Resources
Student Group - FCCLA
The mission of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) organization is to promote personal growth and leadership development through family and consumer sciences education.

Contact Us: Career and Technical Education Staff Directory
Secondary Division
Brad King, Agriculture Education Specialist 406.444.4451
Eric Swenson, Business Education Specialist 406.444.7991
Megan Anderson, Family & Consumer Sciences Education Specialist 406.444.3599
Bill Jimmerson, FFA Program Manager 406.994.7050
Renee Harris, Health Sciences Education. Specialist 406.444.2059
Don Michalsky, Industrial, Trades & Tech. Education. Specialist 406.444.4452
Diana Fiedler, Perkins Accountability Specialist 406.444.9019
Mary Ann Gregory, Administrative Specialist 406.444.9076
Steve York, Assistant Superintendent 406.444.4434


